John McBain is getting married TOMORROW.

YESTERDAY. She saw their smiling pictures in the Llanview Morning News, announcing their

wedding and the next thing she knew, she was on a train from New York to Llanview. It was

apparent that they were going to have a big wedding because the front of the church sanctuary

was lined with big, beautiful bouquets of lilies…HER favorite flowers.  Each church pew was

draped with pale pink carnations and white ribbons to welcome THEIR families and friends, who

longed for this day since the day they met over 7 years ago in some pool hall.  She fingered

each blossom as she walked down the aisle, tears rolling down her cheeks and lapping under

her chin. Her dark shades hiding her pain-filled eyes as she took in the scene of the church. 

She wrapped her black trench coat around her as if to ward off the coldness she felt enveloping

her.   In a way, Evangeline was glad that no one was present now so that she could grieve in

private.  How could this have happened? Where did the time go? She asked herself silently, as

her heart begun to break in a million pieces. YESTERDAY.  It seemed like they met and fell in

love just yesterday.  It was so surreal the way they came together.  She allowed the memories

to take her heart, mind, and soul back to the very first time she laid eyes on John

McBain.  She needed important information to move her case forward and she was told that the

person who could help her do that was at Angel Square Park.  She arrived at the park that

November day and almost missed him.  As he turned around and their eyes met, she felt a

spark. Hmm, I don’t think so!  I don’t even like white men. He has the bluest eyes though. But

when they shook hands, it felt like coming home after being gone for so long. He must have

felt the electric surge as well because he wouldn’t let go of her hand. She quickly recovered her

professional demeanor, released his hand, and carried the conversation toward completion. As

they conversed, she felt his sharp blue eyes assessing her, sizing her up. She kept stopping

and staring into his eyes or looking at his long hair blowing in the wind.   As she left, she felt his

eyes raking her back and behind. Ohhh!! So white boy got jungle fever?!  She shook her

head and chuckled softly as she thought back to that eventful day, not knowing then how

McBain would smash through her life like a Mack truck and destroy all of her preconceived

notions of love and relationships.  She sat down heavily on the front pew as if the weight of the

world was on her shoulders.  What should she do? Should she tell him that she’s back from---?

She shook her head again. Tell him what, Evangeline? Hey, baby, I’m back from a 3 year

coma? That will go over REAL WELL!!  No one knew that she was back and she wanted it that

way. She told the doctors and nurses at the facility to not let her family or friends know that she

returned from her coma. She opened her eyes 3 months ago without stimuli.  The doctors and

nurses were amazed and they begged and pleaded with her to inform her family of her

miraculous recovery. She was adamant.  She wanted to tell them on her own.  Not that she was

trying to be heartless, but she didn’t want to disrupt their lives right now, especially her mother’s

life. She placed Evangeline in a nursing facility when she remarried.  One of the nurses told her

that she and her wealthy new husband moved to Paris, France about 6 months before

Evangeline woke up.  She called only once since the move.  Evangeline didn’t blame her.  It was

time for her mother to enjoy her life...away from her.  Evangeline also heard that Layla and Cris

were married with 3 boys and a little girl on the way.  Their family picture was placed next to her

bed at the facility.  Layla called or visited Evangeline every week up until she was placed on

mandatory bedrest by her obstetrician.  Evangeline knew Layla would be upset with her for not

telling her about waking up, but she felt it was best for everyone if she would just quietly appear

when the time was right. Except one person-McBain.  It’s funny how he was the first person she

thought of when she woke up.  Just before consciousness, she could still see his blue eyes

filling with unshed tears as she told him that it was over between them; she could remember

the shape of his lips, his eyebrows, and goatee.  Her long term memory bank stored her

memory of the way he walked, they way he placed his hands on his hips, the sly smile he would

shoot when he was being mischievous, and the way he would kiss her and their heated,

passionate, and loud lovemaking. The thing is why didn’t she remember Cris or Todd like she

remembered John?  As the memories poured over Evangeline, she allowed them to come and

wash over her.  She sat in the church until the sun’s rays changed to night shadows.  The

minister and his staff wondered about the tall, mysterious woman with the long, dark hair and

dark clothing and shades, who appeared at the church in the morning and cried over the flowers

in the church, as if she was mourning someone’s death instead of celebrating a wedding.

Throughout the day while asking her if she wanted anything to eat or drink, they asked her if

she was a friend of the bride and groom or if she was a member of the family. Evangeline only

shook her head no and continued to stare into space and allow the memories to come and

come and come…She remembered the first time she and John made love in Mary Barnes’

basement. Although they later blamed it on the alcohol, they both were shaken by their

passionate union.  In the days that followed Evangeline, who was supposed to be in a

relationship with RJ Gannon, couldn’t get John off of her mind. Eventually, they made love again

and again…and again.   She remembered the heated arguments; the conflict with her family

over her relationship with John; the strings; their first Eagles game; the pearls; the open

mouthed stares people would give them as they walked down the street; and the constant

interference and helpless victim tricks that redhead, his bride-to-be, played throughout the

course of their relationship. The longer she sat there and thought about it….the angrier she got,

and the angrier she got, she only had one recurring thought: PAYBACK IS A BITCH NAMED

EVANGELINE WILLIAMSON. 

She took out her new cell phone and dialed a number, hoping it has not been changed. She

needed help and the kind of help she needed involved lots of money. The line rang and

connected.  Before he could answer, she said in a deep, breathless, sexy voice, “Your

money or your life?”                                        

 Todd Manning screamed into the phone, “YOU BITCH!!! About time you woke up, Evangeline.”  

“Oh quit being dramatic!!  I KNOOOOW you found out that I woke up, Todd Manning” Evangeline told him. 

The day after she woke up, Evangeline received two dozen pink roses, and she instantly knew

that Todd Manning found out that she woke up from her coma.  It was only of matter of time

before he made an appearance at the facility except the wedding announcement in the Llanview

Times brought her to him and not the other way around.  “Well, what can I say? Money makes

the world go ‘round if you have a few palms to grease.”  Todd gloated as he launched into a

long monologue about what he had to do in order to find out about her. Evangeline rolled her

eyes, shifted the phone to her right ear, and listened to Todd recount his method of bribery

used on the nursing staff at Sweetwood nursing facility.

She interrupted his monologue “What if a few more palms need to be greased?” 

Evangeline never displayed desperation even in the courtroom when she knew she was about to

lose a case, but this was different.  HER man was about to marry that wannabe Buchanan

tomorrow, and she needed to do something QUICK!

“Evangeline—where are you?” Todd breathed.  “Shady is not your middle name,

girlfriend.”

“C’mon Todd baby, you KNOOOW where I am and shady is my alter ego.” 

She looked around the church becoming sick to her stomach.

“I’m at the church where SOMEBODY is supposed to be getting married, but I don’t  think it will

be happening. Where are you?”

She could hear music playing in the background. It sounded like he was at Rhodi’s….

”For he’s a jolly good fellow…”

She could hear people in the background singing…it sounded like…she drew in a breath and

before she could voice her thoughts, Todd interrupted.“Evangeline, I’m at the bachelor’s

party…meet me at the diner in 10 minutes.”

Todd hung up quickly, looked around, and walked out on John’s bachelor party before anyone

would noticed he left…but he never noticed that  a pair of cerulean blue eyes watched his entire

conversation and definitely watched his exit from the party. She hung up the phone, took one

final look around the church, and went to meet Todd at the diner. 

All is fair in love

Love's a crazy game

Two people vow to stay

In love as one they say

But all is changed with time

The future none can see

The road you leave behind

Ahead lies mystery

But all is fair in love

I had to go away

A writer takes his pen

To write the words again

That all in love is fair 

All of fate's a chance

It's either good or bad

I tossed my coin to say

In love with me you'd stay

But all in war is so cold

You either win or lose

When all is put away

The losing side I'll play

But all is fair in love

I should have never left your side

A writer takes his pen

To write the words again

That all in love is fair 

A writer takes his pen

To write the words again

That all in love is fair

As the jukebox replayed the song she sung to McBain, one recurring thought invaded her mind.

I should have called in sick that day. The counselors told her that she would experience

moments of anger, regret, and guilt as a result of her coma.  Shortly after waking up, her

memory resurfaced even the ugly parts. That night. She was yet feeling regret and guilt for

THAT NIGHT. She allowed her mind to return to the coffee shop over 3 years ago…their table…

she, alone…he, walking in alone…their eyes connect…his body wandered over to sit at their table.

Neither one had much to say…small talk…

“You okay?”

“Yes. How about you?”

But underneath the small talk…a small flame begin to burn brighter…she shifted in her seat with

her hand in her hair, twisting her fingers in her ebony mane…eyes focused on him…His eyes

wandered to her lips, unconsciously licking his lips.

“So, what are you doing here?”

 Evangeline’s watching his tongue disappear back in his mouth, groaning silently as her Vangie

started calling his name, crying heated tears in frustration, soaking her panties. She crossed her

legs for the 2nd time with his eyes following them. I can’t go out like this even though Cristian

and I are no longer together. John’s eyes spoke volumes about what he liked, loved, craved,

hungered for, and yes…missed. Right then, he looked…HUNGRY.

“Actually, I came for a burger and some coffee.” His tongue reappeared again.

Evangeline’s legs moved inside their booth and her heels came off. Still watching him, her right

stocking foot brushed against his pants leg, moving sure against his calf. John nearly leaped

from the booth.  His eyes asking her questions. She looked away, at the jukebox, the front

door, the nearly empty diner as her foot by now resting against his groin. He groaned as her

toes brushed against groin…once, twice applying pressure.

“Evangeline…baby.”

John shifted closer to her foot, his hips moving in a circular motion as she worked her charm. 

His hands found her foot, holding it close to his groin as he groaned softly.

“You know what you’re doing to me?”

Evangeline, turned on by his arousal, shifted closer and pressed her foot harder against him.

“Yeah, I think I do. You missed me?” she said softly.

John nodded, caught up in her erotic tease. His eyes, glazing over and rolling closed.

“Not as much as you missed me,” he said.

His hands started kneading her foot.

“You remember this, baby?”

She gasped, enjoying the sudden foot massage.

“Oooo, John that’s my hot spot…maybe you shouldn’t,” she choked out, fully aroused. 

A foot massage from John always turned her on and it worked like a truth serum when he

needed honesty from her.

“Do you miss me, Evangeline?”

His thumb working the ball of her foot, relaxing her but yet making her moist.

 “Ummm, baby…yes-s-s.”

“So, what are we going to do about it?”

Both of John’s hands working, stroking, rubbing her foot had her hips moving. John’s eyes

looking into hers as she struggled to form a coherent sentence..

”Oooh, uuuhh..let’s go to my place.”

John shook his head. “Too far.”

His left hand started kneading her ankle. Evangeline jumped, looking around…no one was in the

diner by now. The cashier went on break five minutes ago.

“Umm…”she gasped, as his thumb pressed against the arch of her foot….”Oooo, baby..c’mon now..”

“C’mon what?” he chuckled softly “You started it…what do you wanna do, baby?”

“Let’s go to your place,” she groaned out. 

She dropped her foot, finding her heels. 

“Hell, yeah…let’s go. Ride with me?” John questioned,  his eyebrow arching.

They both jumped out of the booth like they were on fire…which they were.

“I’m going to ride you alright,” she laughed up into his face as they exited the diner.

Although the ride lasted five minutes, it was five minutes too long.  Their hands kept stroking

and rubbing and grabbing and pinching on the ride over to John’s new condo in Evangeline’s old

building.  They could barely contain themselves as they rode the elevator to the penthouse

floor…John’s condo was the only one on the top floor.  He grabbed Evangeline by her butt, her

long legs wrapping around his hips…their tongues and mouths dueling for control as he stuck his

key in his door…her tongue wrapped around his…their breaths melding…they entered his condo…

door slammed…her back slammed against the living room wall…shedding their clothes…male

and female voice groaning loud and breathing hard….her hips moving, rocking against his covered penis…

”Is this what you’ve been missing, baby?”

John groaned the affirmative, working his hips as well..

”Yessss!”

He ripped her thong off violently as she helped him pull down his briefs.  Her wet heat slid down

upon his silken steel as they both groaned aloud. Her back against the wall again as he

pumped slowly and surely inside of her. Evangeline cried out from the deliciousness of it…she

missed this. 

“Yeah….ohhh…John….Johnnnn!” She rotated her hips counterclockwise giving him something he

could feel.  Their eyes connecting as they worked to feed their lust…hungry for each

other…Was this all they could offer each other?  Tears came to Evangeline’s eyes as she felt

John hitting her spot…she gasped,

“Ooo, baby…yes, that’s it…yesss”.

“Talk to me,baby…that’s it!” he groaned.

In answer, she leaned back and started bouncing up and down, reaching for that toe-curling

satisfaction that she knew was coming.  John moved to the bedroom and fell down onto the bed

still holding Evangeline. She opened her legs wide as he pumped hard against her. John looked

down into her eyes. 

“I love you, baby!” he said, punctuating each word with a thrust and rotating hips.  Orgasms

approaching…they tried to make their loving last longer…tongues and mouths fused together,

biting and rolling….Evangeline rolled over on top of John, rotating her hips in a circular motion,

her hair brushing his thighs. His hands found her breasts, fondling them as he was re-

introduced to them. She started bouncing up and down upon his penis, stroking him as they

both reached for their shared heaven.  John started thrusting upwards, meeting Evangeline’s

down stroke…both hurrying…reaching…surging…gasping…exploding.

“AHHHHH EVANGELINE!!! John surged upward, spewing his passion inside her while her walls

squeezed and contracted around him.

“OOOOOO…JOHN….JOHN!” She screamed and he jerked.  She gasped and grinded her hips into

him a final time. After they returned to earth, they spent the entire night talking and laughing. 

They didn’t talk about Natalie.  They didn’t talk about Cris and they definitely didn’t talk about

tomorrow. Instead they talked about the “them” they missed, wanted, and longed for. And when

they were all talked out, they looked into each other’s eyes and made love, communicating

silently and yes, loudly their pleasure, hoping to burn that night into their memories before the

sun rose…before she would leave….he begged her…yes, strong, solid, Black-Irish and macho

John McBain BEGGED Evangeline to stay while he made love to her as the sun rose high to the

heaven they were trying to reach for again.

“Baby…c’mon….stay with me.” John whispered into her mouth as he pumped into her slowly,

rotating his hips. His hands pushing her hair back from her face.  She forgot that he

was hard to resist in the morning.

“You know I can’t, John” She groaned and met his slow, methodical thrusts, her hands grabbing

his butt. The thought of staying was so tempting but Evangeline had to make an appearance in

court and go check on Cristian.  She forced her thoughts away from Cristian and made love to

John…it would be her very last thought as she fell to the floor of Cristian’s loft, consumed by

carbon monoxide poison courtesy of the One Pure People. . I should have called in sick

that day.

“Don’t do it.”

Evangeline blinked incredulously. “Don’t do it,” she repeated. “That’s your advice?!”

Todd nodded his head slowly as she tried to comprehend what he was trying to say to her.  After venting her anger at the possibility of the love of her life marrying her nemesis, Evangeline outlined her plan to exact revenge.  The only problem with her plan is that her “ace-boon-coon” threw a wrench in it.

“Let me get this straight,” Evangeline sneered, “you, the MASTER of revenge plans, are telling me to call it off?” She stared at him like he lost his mind.

He almost laughed out loud at her facial expressions, but he didn’t think it would be appropriate considering how angry she was. “Van, I didn’t realize you knew me so well,” he placed his hands against his chest femininely and batted his eyes.  Evangeline started laughing and punched him in the chest playfully. “But seriously, although I like the title of MASTER,” he wiggled his eyebrows lecherously, “I don’t see a problem with you getting revenge; it’s your plan that stinks.”

Todd Manning was so overjoyed to hear from her that he skipped the remainder of McBain’s bachelor party, as if he was having any fun.  He was still out to lunch about the unholy pairing of the brooding police chief and the buxom red-head tramp. Nevertheless, she finally got her man and McBrooding finally accepted her proposal…any woman who proposed to a man 20 times had to be desperate.  After asking him numerous times in private, she decided to take her plan public.  It was the joke of Llanview for three years…the first year she took out a page in the Llanview Morning News; the next year, she used the highway billboard; and last year, she gathered all of their family and friends together for a dinner party, made a heartfelt speech about finding her “soul mate” and John accepted her proposal. Frankly, Todd thought John accepted her proposal to shut her up.  With Evangeline back in town, he wasn’t sure how long Natalie’s happiness would last.  Although Todd mourned Evangeline, he gave his heart to his lost love, Tea once she returned to Llanview and he was making a conscious effort to curb some of his “bad boy” ways…somewhat. Evangeline brought him back to the present.

“So, running in the church to bust up his wedding is a bad idea?” Evangeline questioned, looking at him expectantly. She thought her idea was a great one because it would accomplish three things: it would break up the wedding; embarrass the hell out of Natalie, that wannabe Buchanan; and win back the love of her life, quite naturally. “I don’t see how it’s a bad plan, Todd.”

“Of course, you don’t, “Todd bragged, “that’s why I’m the MASTER, remember?” Evangeline groaned and rolled her eyes. “The problem with your plan, my dear, is that it is unoriginal,” he chided.  “Think about it,” Todd explained, shaking his head, “just about everyone and their momma who wants to break up a wedding, interrupts the minister, and cry fake tears screaming their “I love you”.

Evangeline interrupted, “So, what do you suggest I do…Let them get married?!”

“Yes.” That simple answer was not what she wanted to hear.  She went into lawyer mode, citing all the reasons why she should break up John and Natalie’s wedding…quite simply…because she…loved…McBain.  Finally out of reasons, she sat back in the booth and dreaded what she may hear from Todd.

“Evangeline, let me be the voice of reason here and ask you a couple of questions, okay?” Todd stated. “First question, have you spoken to your family about waking up from your coma?”

“No.”

Todd looked at her, square in the eyes, “Next question: How would your family react to hearing about your return on the news?” Tears begin forming in her eyes and she looked down, fingering the salt shaker.

“Hmm, no answer, Counselor?” Todd questioned softly. “How would your friends here in Llanview react to your sudden reappearance to bust up John’s wedding?” Using his hand, he touched her chin and raised her head to look in her eyes now filled with tears tricking down her cheeks.

“Evangeline, this revenge plan that you’re set upon carrying out is not you, “he confided, “because you haven’t considered your family and friends’ reactions to your return.” He went further, “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t exact revenge but you need to notify some key people before you do.”

He grabbed some napkins for her to wipe her eyes.  He really felt sorry for her.  Here was a woman who lost 3 years of her life only to wake up to find that the love of her life was marrying someone else. He thought back to the numerous times she put her life and career in jeopardy to save him.  For those reasons alone, he kept tabs on her progress at the nursing facility.  He knew how strong willed she was and he hoped-no, he prayed that her strength and her life would return. Now, here she was sitting before him wanting to return to her lover…not her family, nor friends, or even her career….all she wanted was that dope, John McBain and Todd Manning was going to help her do it…the right way.

He looked around the diner. Only 3 people were there, nursing coffees and cheeseburgers but the good thing was that none of these diners knew Evangeline. Cristian took over the diner last year when his mother, Carlotta, retired.  He was at John’s bachelor party and Layla hadn’t visited the diner since her doctor placed her on bed rest, so she wouldn’t jeopardize the upcoming delivery of her daughter.  No one Evangeline knew ever came here anymore except John McBain.

Evangeline finally spoke. “Todd, thank you for shedding a little light,” she smiled sheepishly as she finished wiping her eyes. Todd Manning always knew what to say to make her feel better, and she was glad that he was the only friend who knew that she was alive and in Llanview. “I’m still angry though, and that bitch ain’t getting my man,” she asserted, “I know you don’t expect me to sit idly by and watch Natalie marry John.”

Todd remembered that Evangeline was always a spitfire who didn’t back down from a good fight, inside and outside the courtroom.  Trying to get her to see things his way was more difficult than he thought so he had to come up with a better solution to keep her from charging ahead recklessly. “Okay, no offense but I have a better plan,” Todd argued.  “Let’s keep in mind that the wedding is tomorrow and you have to act fast.”

“Like I said, busting up the wedding is a g-“ Evangeline said.

Todd countered, “What I mean is the first thing you have to do is notify your immediate family, a few of your friends, and set up a press conference pronto.” Todd went into full blown planning mode. Evangeline was right when it comes to revenge he was definitely a master. “You need to make sure that your press conference is seen by all of Llanview before the wedding.” He looked at his watch. “We have exactly 15 hours until the wedding.”

Evangeline thought about all that Todd just said and asked, “So, what about my plan to show up at the church and bust up the wedding?” She definitely wanted to see the look of shock on Natalie’s face when the minister ask, “If anyone has just cause…” and Evangeline jump up with a “HELLLL, YEAH!!” Todd interrupted her daydream drama when he said, “Again, your plan is unoriginal and after the press conference, do you really think McBain will be in any frame of mind to marry Natalie?!”

Evangeline practically shrieked her delight. “Oh my God, Manning, “ she exclaimed, “that is brilliant!” She leaned across the table and hugged him tightly.

Todd hugged her and leaned back. “Wait a minute, sugar,” he cautioned, “there is something more I have to say.” Evangeline was just so happy that John would not be marrying that evil witch that she was willing to do whatever Todd suggested. “Oh, okay, “ she said, “What else will I have to do?”

“I need you to focus on just being yourself, “ Todd advised, “because in the end, that is what you want John to see.”  He knew she would have a problem processing this so he rushed on.  “Evangeline, baby,” he said softly, taking both of her hands in his, “I know you want to resort to high theatrics and drama to embarrass Natalie but you need to handle it in a more subtle way.” Evangeline looked at Todd, shaking her head affirmatively. “Here is what you need to do.”

For the next couple of hours, Todd and Evangeline mapped out her plan of revenge.  He felt that she should use his condo as a hideout until the big press conference reveal.  They paid for their coffees and left the diner heading toward his condo.

After a couple hours of sleep, Evangeline Williamson called her mother in Paris who fainted at hearing her voice. She gave all the important details to her new stepfather. Next she called Layla and Cristian, who started screaming, crying, and demanding to know why she didn’t tell them sooner. She promised them that she would sit down with them and answer all their questions but she needed to get some things done. Todd sat next to her on the couch while she made both phone calls and she thanked him again for advising her on contacting her family. While she was on the phone with her mother and Layla, Todd called every reporter within a 100 mile radius of Llanview to arrange a press conference at Buchanan Towers.  He promised them that what he was about to reveal was definitely newsworthy. The next person on Evangeline’s list was Nora and she just knew that it was going to be hard breaking the news to her over the phone, no doubt. When Nora heard Evangeline’s voice the only thing she said was, “You’re in Llanview. Where are you and you better not lie to me!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At eight am, a black envelope with gold lettering was delivered to one Natalie Buchanan, a bride to be, preparing for her wedding.  Thinking it was a gift from John, she opened the envelope and pulled out the gold embossed card that simple read,

Congratulations on your impending nuptials!!

I wish you and John all the happiness in the world!!

Sincerely, Evangeline Williamson, Esq.

Natalie screamed and frantically ran toward her phone, dialing John’s cell phone number. It rang and rang and rang and rang…she threw the handset down and screamed, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, OH GOD, NOOOOO!”

At the same time, a lavender envelope with black lettering was delivered to the office of one John McBain, the new chief of Llanview PD.  He was on his cell phone with his Mom as she chatted on and on about how the wedding would be the talk of the town and she was glad that he made the decision to marry Natalie.

“Hey, Chief,”

John looked up at the young rookie who barged through his opened office door and held up a finger, halting him. The young rookie dropped the envelope on his desk and walked out.

Still listening to his mother drone on and on about the wedding, he picked up the envelope, held it to his nose, and took a deep breath. It was her scent, Flowers in Springtime and her favorite color was lavender. “OH MY GOD!” He dropped the cell phone and hastily tore open the envelope.  He pulled out a white card that simply read,

When I opened my eyes,

 my first thought was…

I should have called in that day.

Evangeline 

John screamed.  Officers came running to the doorway to witness their silent, brooding police chief come undone. He sat in this chair with tears rolling down his face screaming the name everyone thought he would never utter again.

    EVANGELINE WILLIAMSON                              JOHN MCBAIN

       TODD MANNING                                          TEA DELGADO

     NATALIE BUCHANAN                                 ROXY                                      REX

    LAYLA VEGA                                                    CRISTIAN VEGA

    NORA BUCHANAN                                           BO BUCHANAN

                                                   R. J. GANNON